MoGCSP Mobilise Youth-Led Organisations to Tackle Adolescent Pregnancy

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) is strengthening the role of young people in the fight against adolescent pregnancy, with a renewed call on youth-led organisations to take an active part in implementing the Revised Adolescent Pregnancy Strategy (2026–2030).

The call was made at a one-day capacity-building workshop organised by the Ministry, through its Department of Gender, on Friday, October 30, 2026, in Accra.

 The workshop brought together representatives of youth-led organisations from the Northern Sector, development partners and other stakeholders to deepen their understanding of the strategy and identify practical ways young people could support its implementation.

Speaking on behalf of the Director of the Department of Gender, Faustina Acheampong, the Head of the Gender Equity Committee Secretariat, Vera Karikari Bediako, described adolescent pregnancy as a major concern that affects gender equality, child protection, public health and national development.

She explained that the revised strategy incorporates lessons from its predecessor and provides a coordinated, rights-based and gender-responsive framework for addressing the problem and urged youth-led organisations to use their influence and connections with young people to promote adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights through peer education, community mobilisation and advocacy.

On behalf of the UNFPA Country Representative, Dr. Winfred Ochan, the National Programmes Analyst on Gender, Madam Selina Owusu, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting the Ministry and its partners in addressing adolescent pregnancy.

She stressed that young people must be active participants in the process, rather than simply beneficiaries of interventions. She therefore encouraged the organisations to engage duty bearers, track the implementation of the strategy and advocate for better services that respond to adolescents’ needs.

A consultant for the Revised Adolescent Pregnancy Strategy (2026–2030), Prof. Stephen O. Kwankye, took participants through the document, outlining its priority areas, strategic direction and implementation arrangements.

He emphasised the importance of coordinated action across sectors and among stakeholders, noting that effective collaboration would be critical to achieving the strategy’s objectives.

Participants also examined key aspects of the strategy through group discussions, during which they assessed its proposed interventions and made recommendations to improve implementation.

Their presentations focused on practical approaches to expanding youth participation and ensuring that youth-led organisations play a meaningful role in efforts to reduce adolescent pregnancy.

The workshop forms part of the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen stakeholder involvement and ensure that young people are actively engaged in shaping and supporting interventions that affect their lives.

Grace Acheampong, ISD